Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with Local Cheesemonger

The best part of this Montmartre experience is the tasting itself: eight French cheeses, five French wines, and a host named Max who keeps the lesson lively. You sit in an intimate stone-walled space and move through the flavors at a sensible pace, learning why a pairing works rather than simply being handed a plate.

I like the generous servings and the clear link between food, place, and tradition. I also like the small-group format, which gives you room to ask questions and makes the event feel more like a friendly table conversation than a formal class. The one thing to consider is that five wine samples plus a substantial amount of cheese can leave you pleasantly tipsy, so this is better planned as a main activity than a quick stop between museums.

Key points at a glance

• Eight cheeses and five wines: The tasting includes a broad range of French flavors, with one sparkling wine in the lineup.
• Max leads the session: Expect stories, maps, pairing advice, and an easygoing teaching style in English.
• A genuine Montmartre setting: The meeting place is the green wooden-fronted shop at 98 Rue Marcadet in the 18th arrondissement.
• Two hours at a relaxed pace: There is time to taste, compare, ask questions, and talk about French food culture.
• Good value at $70: The price covers the guided tasting, all eight cheeses, five wines, and water.
• Plan it early in your Paris stay: Max often shares useful suggestions for restaurants, bars, and other places to visit.

Eight cheeses, five wines, and a lesson you can taste

This is not a quick sample of cheese cubes with a glass of wine on the side. The point is to see how French cheese and wine affect one another. One cheese may taste sharper, creamier, saltier, or more earthy after a sip of wine. A pairing that seems ordinary at first can change once you try it in the intended order.

Max presents eight French cheeses, each selected for its own flavor and character. The exact lineup can change, so you should not book this expecting a particular famous cheese. That is part of the appeal. You get a broad introduction rather than a narrow lesson built around only Brie, Camembert, and Roquefort.

The five French wines are chosen to match the cheeses, and one is sparkling. Several people particularly enjoyed the range of wine styles, including a natural wine selection. Natural wine can be less predictable than a conventional bottle, so it adds a little curiosity to the tasting rather than making every glass taste safe and familiar.

You also receive fresh water. That matters here. With this much dairy and wine over two hours, water helps keep your palate fresh and makes the tasting more comfortable.

Meeting Max at 98 Rue Marcadet

The meeting point is 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris, in Montmartre. Look for the green wooden storefront at the front of the shop. This is an important detail because Montmartre has plenty of small businesses and lively streets, and a clear visual marker makes the arrival easier.

The location works well with a day spent in the neighborhood. You can pair the tasting with a walk through Montmartre before or after, though the experience itself takes place at the shop rather than on a guided hilltop walk. Do not expect a tour of Sacré-Coeur, artists’ squares, or the famous stairways. This is a food-and-wine session with a Montmartre address.

The room has stone walls and an intimate feel. That setting helps the event feel separate from the usual rush of Paris sightseeing. You are there to sit down, listen, taste, and talk. I would schedule it when you are ready for a pause, not when you need to race to the next timed attraction.

How the two-hour tasting unfolds

The session begins with an introduction to the cheeses and wines, followed by a progression of tastes and pairings. Max explains where the products come from and what to notice in the glass and on the plate. He uses clear English and keeps the technical side understandable.

You are not expected to arrive with a trained palate. Max explains the basics in ordinary language and answers questions as they come up. A useful part of the experience is learning how to describe what you taste without needing specialist vocabulary. You may leave knowing the difference between a flavor you enjoy and one you simply find interesting.

The cheese portion is generous. Several people specifically found there was plenty to eat, and one person even wished for crackers or biscuits because there was so much cheese. That is a fair warning for anyone who prefers a very light tasting. This is closer to a substantial afternoon snack than a tiny pre-dinner nibble.

The wine pours are also described as generous. That improves the value, but it changes how you should plan your day. Five wines over two hours can affect you, especially when combined with eight cheeses. Drink the water, eat slowly, and avoid scheduling a demanding activity immediately afterward.

The lesson does not seem rushed. Max takes time for questions and encourages conversation among the group. The session is designed to feel social, so your experience may depend partly on the mix of people in your group. The small setting helps, and the host actively builds a friendly atmosphere.

What makes the pairings useful

French cheese is closely tied to local agriculture and regional food traditions. A good tasting gives you more than a list of names. It helps you understand why France has so many distinct cheese styles and why the same wine does not work equally well with every one.

Max connects the cheese to its region and explains the thinking behind each wine match. A map has been used during the session to show the size and location of French regions. That visual touch is helpful because food names can blur together when you are hearing them in a second language or trying several samples at once.

You may also learn that familiar pairing rules are not absolute. One person left with the lesson that red wine is not always the best partner for cheese. That is a useful correction to the standard image of a French cheese board beside a big red. The right wine depends on the cheese, its saltiness, its texture, and its strength.

The pairing is also a good way to approach cheeses you might otherwise avoid. Some can have strong smells or unusual textures. Max gives context before you taste, which makes an unfamiliar cheese easier to understand. You still may not like every sample, but you will know what you are tasting and why it is on the plate.

Max’s style: part teacher, part host

Max is the main reason this experience feels different from a self-guided cheese plate. His style is warm, funny, and highly social. He tells stories about the products, asks people what they notice, and keeps the conversation moving without turning it into a stiff lecture.

He has been hosting this experience for more than two years and has welcomed more than 3,000 people. The published rating is 5 out of 5 from 470 ratings, and the consistent praise centers on his humor, clear explanations, warmth, and ability to include different personalities in the room.

That last point matters. You do not need to be a wine expert or a serious cheese fan. Max’s approach works for beginners, couples, families, and mixed groups where one person is more interested in wine than another. Even people who were unsure about cheese or wine found ways to enjoy the session because the focus is on curiosity and conversation.

His advice can extend beyond the tasting. He has shared suggestions for restaurants, bars, and other Paris activities, which can be useful early in your stay. I would book this near the beginning of your visit if you want to use those ideas for the rest of your time in the city.

Small group, relaxed pace, real conversation

The experience is advertised as a small-group tasting, and that format suits the subject. A large room would make it harder to compare impressions or ask questions. Here, you have a better chance to hear the explanation, see the products clearly, and speak directly with Max.

The group size is not specified, so you should not assume a private lesson. One booking has involved only two people, while another group had eight. The size can vary, but the basic promise is a personal, relaxed setting rather than a crowd.

That social side is part of the value. People often arrive as separate groups and end up talking over the cheese and wine. If you want a silent tasting with a formal sommelier lecture, this may not be your ideal choice. If you enjoy meeting people and learning through conversation, it should suit you well.

The two-hour length is about right. Less time would make eight cheeses and five wines feel hurried. Much longer could become heavy, especially with generous portions. The pace gives each sample enough attention without taking an entire afternoon.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the price is reasonable for what is included. You receive eight French cheeses, five French wines, one of them sparkling, fresh water, and a two-hour guided lesson in a central Paris neighborhood. The value improves if you appreciate the teaching and the generous portions, not just the number of samples.

You could buy cheese and wine on your own for less, but that would not provide the regional context, pairing guidance, or hosted social experience. You would also need to choose the products and find a suitable place to taste them. Here, the work is done for you, and the tasting has a clear structure.

The price is less compelling if you rarely drink wine, dislike cheese, or mainly want a walking tour of Montmartre. In those cases, much of what you are paying for will not matter. For someone who wants an edible introduction to French culture, the combination of food, instruction, and setting makes the cost sensible.

Portions are substantial enough that you may not need a full meal immediately afterward. Still, do not treat the tasting as a guaranteed dinner replacement unless your appetite is modest. The supplied information describes plenty of cheese and wine, but no bread, crackers, or other meal items are promised.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time visitors who want an approachable introduction to French food
• Couples looking for a relaxed afternoon activity
• Friends and family groups who enjoy eating and talking together
• Wine drinkers who want to understand pairing rather than simply sample bottles
• Cheese lovers who want regional background and new styles to try
• People who prefer small, host-led experiences over large sightseeing tours

It can also work for locals or repeat visitors. You do not need another view of Paris to enjoy a lesson about cheese and wine, and the regional explanations give the tasting more substance than a standard snack stop.

I would think twice if you do not drink alcohol, have strict dietary restrictions, or dislike strong cheese. The provided details do not list alternatives, substitutions, or dietary accommodations, so ask before booking if those issues matter to you. The activity is wheelchair accessible, which is useful, but the information does not describe the exact layout of the shop or restroom access.

The instruction is in English. If you need another language, this is not the right fit based on the information available.

Booking details worth knowing

The experience lasts two hours, with starting times available when you check the date. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Those terms are helpful when your Paris schedule is still shifting.

Wear something comfortable and arrive ready to sit for the session. The meeting point is the green-fronted wooden shop at 98 Rue Marcadet. Since the tasting involves alcohol, I would not make this your main plan if you have to catch a train or attend a formal event right afterward.

The best timing depends on your habits. An afternoon booking gives you time to enjoy the cheese without rushing toward lunch, while an early evening session can work as a generous pre-dinner activity. Either way, keep the rest of the schedule light.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a friendly, food-focused Paris experience with enough explanation to make the tasting meaningful. Max’s humor, regional stories, pairing advice, and generous portions are the strongest reasons to choose it. The intimate stone-walled room also gives you a welcome break from sightseeing.

Skip it if you want a Montmartre walking tour, a formal wine certification lesson, or a light sample with little alcohol. For everyone else, $70 buys two useful hours of French food culture, a satisfying amount to eat and drink, and practical ideas you can use during the rest of your Paris stay.

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting take place?

It takes place at 98 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris, in Montmartre. The front store is green and made of wood.

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

How many cheeses are included?

You taste eight French cheeses, each selected for its own flavor.

How many wines are included?

The tasting includes five French wines, including one sparkling wine.

Is water provided?

Yes. Fresh water is included.

Who leads the tasting?

A local host named Max leads the experience. He explains French cheesemaking, wine pairings, and regional traditions in English.

Is the activity conducted in English?

Yes. English is the listed instruction language.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking.